Toxicology Report Shows Drugs, Alcohol In System Of Firefighter Who Died During Ventura County Camping Trip

Posted on Friday, August 1, 2014 5:30pm

A firefighter who died in Ventura County’s back country from a fall during a camping trip had drugs, and alcohol in his system, according to a toxicology report.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office report indicates Mike Herdman had alcohol and ecstasy in his system when he died, but it indicates blunt force trauma from a fall was the cause of death.

The Arcadia firefighter disappeared June 13th while on a camping trip in the mountains north of Fillmore, running after his dog as it ran away from a campsite. His body was spotted by a helicopter crew June 27th.

County Sheriff’s Department officials at the time say he had fatal injuries consistent with a fall. They believe he fell from a 1200 foot mountain above the campsite.

It’s unknown what impact the drugs, and alcohol may have had on the fall, with the cause of death still officially listed as accidental.